A Bell 412 model helicopter recently acquired by Guyana disappeared this Wednesday (6) in the Essequibo region, which is currently the target of a territorial dispute between the small South American country and Venezuela.
The helicopter, which was being piloted by a military veteran, was carrying eight soldiers from the Guyana Defense Forces and was flying over the town of Olive Creek, in the area rich in natural resources, when it disappeared. Guyanese government sources, mentioned by local media, ruled out the hypothesis of an attack and attributed the incident to the location’s “bad weather conditions”.
The government of Guyana reported that it is currently carrying out a search and rescue operation in the region.
The President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, declared that his country’s Defense Force is on “high alert” because of the growing tension with the Venezuelans and that it counts on the support of military allies, such as the United States, to face the “ imminent threat” of the neighboring country to its territorial integrity and world peace.
Tension between Guyana and Venezuela increased after Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro announced this Tuesday (5) an action plan that includes oil exploration and the deployment of troops to the disputed region. The Venezuelan regime also accused Guyana of allowing the “US Southern Command presence” in Essequibo. (With EFE Agency)
#Helicopter #carrying #Guyanese #soldiers #disappears #disputed #area #Venezuela